Steering device for power-boats.



P. A. WARREN, J11. STEERING DEVICE FOR POWER BOATS.

APPLIOATION FILED (70116, 1908.-

Patented Feb. 9, 1909;

THE MORRIS PETERS co. wAsnluamu,-n. c

-t steering-niechanisin for power-boats June 13, 1905, belongs UNTLTEDSTATES PATENT OFFTQE.

FRED A. WARREN, JR, OF PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO THE MARINEHARD- WARE COMPANY, OF PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STEERING DEVICE FOR POWER-BOATS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Pain) A. TVARREN, Jr, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in Peabody, in the county of Essex and State ofhiassz-ichusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in SteeringDevices for Power-Boats, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to an improved or motor-boats, the mechanismbeing of the general class to which the steering-mechanism illustratedin Letters Patent of the United States numbered 722,121 and dated andthe present invention or improvement relates specifically to a means orconstruction whereby the steering-mast or spindle is capable oflongitudinal adjustment.

The object of this improvement is to render the steeringmast extensible,thus en abling the operator to lift or lower the steering-wheel, wherebythe wheel may be conveniently grasped and operated whether he is in asitting or standing position, and whereby he can rise from a sitting toa standing position and lift the steering-wheel at the same time withoutreleasing it as, for example, in picking up a buoy.

The nature of the invention is fully de scribed in detail below, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aviewpartly in side elevation and partly in section of an adjustablesteering-mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevationof the same, a small portion being represented as broken out. Figs. 3, land 5 are enlarged horizontal sections taken on dotted lines 8, a and 5respectively.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Reference numeral 6 represents a toothed rack rigid on the upper side ofa rack-rod 7 he ends of which are adapted by means of holes 8, or othersuitable means, to be connected with cords or chains leading to therudder-post. The rack-rod is adapted to be longitudinally reciprocatedin the sleeve 9 whose ends are journaled in blocks 10 secured to thedeck 11, or other suitable portion of the boat. Integral with the sleeve9 are curved flanges 12 and 13 which with the removable dust-shield ltconstitute a housing for a toothed pinion 15 rigid on the Specificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed October 15, 1908.

Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

Serial No. 157,814.

lower end of a spindle 16 and in engagement with the rack 6, the spindle16 having its hearings in boxes 17 and 18 integral with the flanges 12and 13 respectively on the sleeve 9. A binder-screw 19 is fitted on thebox 18 for holding the rudder in a central position when desired, andstops 2O limit the movements of the rack-rod. All the above parts, asfar as described, are constructed and operate substantially as set forthin the Letters Patent above referred to.

The steering-mast comprises two parts, viz., the spindle 16, and thetubular sleeve 21 arranged telescopically on the spindle. The spindle 16is provided with a longitudinal groove or key-way 22 preferably, but notnecessarily, rectangular in cross section, and in this key-way therefits slidingly a key or feather 25 which is secured at as longitudinallyto the inner surface of the sleeve 21. A steering-wheel 25 is secured inany suitable manner to the upper end of the sleeve 21, which, with thespindle 16, constitutes the adjustable and extensible steering-mast. Astop-pin 26 extends from the upper portion of the spindle 16 into thekey-way 22 and serves to limit the upward movement of the key 28, thuspreventlng the two parts of the steering mast from separating. At thedotted lines 3 and 4 there are two holes 27 and 28 extending through thespindle 16, preferably non-parallel with each other. In these holes aresimilar spiral springs 29 whose opposite ends bear against frictionbolts30 and 31, said springs being centered by pins 32, forcing the boltsoutward against the inner surface of the sleeve 21, and serving to holdthe sleeve and spindle stationary and firmly at any point of extension,the springs however, not being sufliciently stiff to prevent thesteersman from moving the sleeve on the spindle when it is desired toextend and lengthen, or to shorten, the steering-mast.

It is evident that by means of this improvement the steersman can risefrom a sitting to a standing position and return to the sitting positioncarrying the wheel 25 up and down with him and retaining completecontrol of the steering-mechanism, and that at whatever height the wheelis left it will remain until it is raised or lowered by the steersman.It is for the purpose of distributing somewhat the frictional connection1 between the portions 16 and 21 over the area of the inner surface ofthe portion 21 that I have arranged the springs 29 on non-parallellines, thus producing four different lines of contact between the bolts30, 31, and the inner surface of the sleeve 21. This serves toapproximately equalize the frictional contact produced by the boltspressing in diii'erent radial lines whereby there is less tendency tobind and the wear is distributed along four different lines.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters- Patent is 1. In a steering device of the generalcharacter described for power-boats, a steeringmast comprising a spindleprovided with a longitudinal key-way or groove, a sleeve pro-c vided onits inner surface with a longitudinal key or feather adapted to fitslidingly in said groove, springs arranged in the spindle, boltsintermediate of said springs and the inner surface of :the sleeve, asteering-wheel mounted on the sleeve, and mechanism connected with thespindle and adapted to transmit rotation to the ruddera post, wherebythe steering-mast is rendered the steering-mechanism is being operated.

2. In a steering device of the general character described forpower-boats, a steeringmast comprising a spindle provided with aplurality of approximately radial non-parallel holes and a longitudinalkey-way or groove, a sleeve provided on its inner surface with alongitudinal key or feather adapted to fit slidingly in said groove,springs arranged in said holes, bolts l1t11gl in said holes at theopposite ends of the springs and adapted to bear against the innersurface of the sleeve, a steering-wheel mounted on the sleeve, andmechanism connected with the spindle and adaoted totransinit rotation tothe rudder-post, whereby the steering-mast is rendered extensible andadjustable as to length while the steering-medianism is being operatedand the frictional contact of the belts with the sleeve is distributedon a plurality of substantially longitudinal lines.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED A. VARREN, JR.

Vvitnesses HENRY W. WILLIAMS, M. A. A'rwoon.

